Not a big fan of boycott's and embargoes which punishes the whole country without much precision. If we want to help establish a free Libya, I think something a little more straightforward is in order. But, I don't think we should be the ones to do anything and be accused of playing God in yet another political arena. Let Turkey or someone drop a bomb on the Gaddafi palace.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2011/02/23/17377551.html Saudi king back home, hands out $37 billion RIYADH - Saudi King Abdullah returned home on Wednesday after a three-month medical absence and unveiled benefits for Saudis worth some $37 billion in an apparent bid to insulate the world’s top oil exporter from an Arab protest wave. DAY OF RAGE" Hundreds of people have backed a Facebook call for a Saudi “day of rage” on March 11 to demand an elected ruler, greater freedom for women and the release of political prisoners. Saudi analysts said the king might soon reshuffle his cabinet to inject fresh blood and revive stalled reforms. Saudi stability is of global concern. A key U.S. ally, the top OPEC producer holds more than a fifth of world oil reserves. I hope this "day of rage" brings about change, would love to see the current monarchy thrown out. LOL at King Dullah giving out free mullah. http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/23/obama.libya/index.html?hpt=T1 Obama calling for sanctions against Libya Yeah lets make it a little harder on the poor and oppressed so they force the punk Moammar out.
So what should the U.S. and allies do? Nothing? Sanctions are a very obvious reaction here if the gadfly manages to hold on to power. I'm not one that usually calls for sanctions, but this time it's a no-brainer. The real debate is how aggressive further steps should be (if necessary) to make sure he's forced him from power.
To put this into perspective, King Abdullah is probably the most liked (or least disliked) of all Saudi's previous kings. He's made relatively serious progress in terms of: 1) Setting up structures necessary for a future democracy 2) Pushing for more women's rights, education, jobs 3) Tackling unemployment However, the guy's hands are tied by the fact that the rest of the family are showing him dead-ends when he tries to do these things. They are seriously holding him back. That's why I don't think a revolution is really on the cards for Saudi right now, but perhaps once leadership changes over. His brother is next in line and just as old as King Abdullah. There's some tension regarding which side of the family should inherit leadership after that. I think that will probably be a key phase in Saudi's history.
I'm generally against military intervention, but in this case I think it's warranted for some group of countries to orchestrate it, or at least threaten to do it. You must understand. The guy is willing to blow up every human, oil field, oil pipeline and historical artifact before leaving. Why would we allow this to happen?
I guess you can't read. They are an obvious first step, not a final measure. What else to do is up for discussion. If military action happens, it must involve several countries preferably acting with UN approval. It can't be done at the snap of a finger. Better yet, let's hope internal forces can take him down.
I understand that he's a real b*stard, but we knew that long before all this started. And he's not the only one. If anyone is going to intervene militarily, it should be the countries that have Libya in their "backyard," like France and Italy. We could provide logistical support, but otherwise, we're too extended elsewhere to realistically invade and occupy Libya. That would be quite a large undertaking.
My bad, didn't see that. If there are people who can detroy a country's prosperity with the snap of a finger, then there should be a system which can react with the snap of a finger. This is an emergency. I agree, and I'm not saying this should sit squarely on the US's lap. I don't think the 'backyard' countries should be picked out either. I think everyone needs to get together, decide who will/can do/provide what, and act quickly.
Much easier said than done. If he decides to destroy his country (or at least the part he still controls), I don't see how outside nations can react fast enough to stop it. Again, this is easier said than done and will take time. The WAY something like this is put together is almost as important as it getting done. Can't see how it happens quickly. The threat itself might set him off. It's complicated.
Here's to Libya's Freedom [rquoter]It’s a little perplexing looking at the White House today. There was a statement on the horrible earthquake in New Zealand, and certainly our hearts go out to all those affected by this horrible natural disaster. But nothing on the slaughter in Libya? The protests in many places in the Middle East affect regimes that have cooperated with the U.S. on issues from peace with Israel, fighting al Qaeda, hosting our military forces, or cooperating against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Gaddafi’s Libya is different. For four decades, this tyrant has held power. Gaddafi was Osama before Osama hit the scene. He ordered the bombing of a disco in Germany to kill Americans. When he paid the price for that – after President Reagan rightly ordered retaliation – he directed his agents to blow up Pan Am Flight 103. They did, and more than 250 innocent people died. Gaddafi tried to come in from the cold in 2003 – scared by the demonstration effect of Iraq. But we should have no illusions. Gaddafi is a brutal killer and Libya – not to mention the world – would be better off if he were out of power. Now is the time to speak out. Speak out for the long-suffering Libyan people. Speak out for the victims of Gaddafi’s terror. NATO and our allies should look at establishing a no-fly zone so Libyan air forces cannot continue slaughtering the Libyan people. We should not be afraid of freedom, especially when it comes to people suffering under a brutal enemy of America. Here’s to freedom from Gaddafi for the people of Libya. - Sarah Palin[/rquoter]
Sarah you ignorant slut -- (Reuters) - Following is the full text of President Barack Obama's statement at the White House on Wednesday on the situation in Libya.
That's great. It doesn't take too much to make Palin look like she doesn't have a clue, but it's still great when it happens. If she wants to be taken seriously she either needs to stop talking about stuff she is ignorant about, or she should choose one or two issues and really study up on them and understand them, and then only speak on those issues. As is she's showing how unprepared, and unqualified she is to be commenting on policies let alone making or influencing them.
